MAT as a Frontline Response to the National Opioid Emergency

The American opioid epidemic is officially a national state of emergency, with over 175 lives lost to opioid overdose every day. The time to lower the barriers to lifesaving treatments is now. Yet, when it comes to certain long-term recovery solutions like medication assisted treatment (MAT), lack of access is rampant. Only three out of every 100 people living with opioid addiction receive the most effective treatment – MAT – despite its proven effectiveness and the recent endorsement of the White House Opioid Commission. Medicare, for example, does not provide seniors access to all FDA-approved MAT treatments. With our rapidly aging population, this is adding fuel to the already raging fire of addiction and overdoses, and must be addressed.

Join us as we discuss the role of MAT in addressing the opioid crisis, the White House Opioid Commission’s related recommendations, and Congress’ role in making the best practice for opioid addiction treatment the common practice, particularly in Medicare and other government sponsored healthcare plans.

Panel Participants:

Former Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy, AOR Advisor, Member of the President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis

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Just as President Kennedy rallied the nation to dream big and set audacious goals 50 years ago, The Kennedy Forum seeks to set a new standard for the future of health care in the United States.

Our mission is big, and the stakes are clear. We seek to unite the health care system, and rally the mental health community around a common set of principles: Fully implement the 2008 parity law, bring business leaders and government agencies together to eliminate issues of stigma, work with providers to guarantee equal access to care, ensure that policymakers have the tools they need to craft better policy, and give consumers a way to understand their rights.